Paul D. Miantona鈥�03
顿谤.听笔补耻濒鈥疍.鈥疢颈补苍迟辞苍补鈥��03, DBA,听will never forget Saturday, Feb. 26, 1999. That is the day he left behind his refugee life and boarded a plane at the鈥疉bidjan International Airport鈥痠n the鈥疘vory Coast鈥痮f鈥疻est Africa鈥痶o fly to a new life in Philadelphia.听鈥淎s I bid the final goodbye to my parents, family members, and friends, I saw mixed expressions in their faces,鈥� he recalled.鈥��淔or some, it was renewed hope and for others sadness.鈥� As I stepped aboard the gigantic and bluish-looking Air France鈥痯lane, I knew my life had changed forever.鈥濃���听
Miantona听and his family had been uprooted by the civil war in Liberia that began in 1989 and lasted for 14 years. 鈥淢y parents, siblings, and I escaped the civil war and settled in the Ivory Coast as refugees, living on the refugee camp in听Danane,鈥� he said.鈥��听
Miantona, who quickly established himself with a job at a fast-food restaurant, had a goal when he arrived in America: to continue his education. 鈥淒uring that time, I began to fervidly pray that God may open the door for entrance to a Christian college.鈥� And God did answer his prayers. 鈥淎n old friend was attending 91精选 and began to tell me about his wonderful experiences.鈥� The friend knew of鈥疢iantona鈥檚鈥痠nterest in soccer as well as academics, and introduced him to Dave Ribbens, then the men鈥檚 head soccer coach. 鈥淐oach Dave invited me to try out and by the grace of God I enrolled at 91精选 in the Fall of 1999. I excelled in both soccer and academics and built wonderful and memorable relationships at 91精选.鈥� In 2003, he graduated with his bachelor鈥檚 degree in Computer Information Systems.鈥�听
Miantona鈥痗ontinued his education after graduating from 91精选 and earned a DBA with an emphasis in strategic management, an MBA and a Master鈥檚 degree in accounting and financial management. He currently works at Renters Warehouse as a real estate and leasing consultant and is an adjunct professor at Saint Mary’s University, Minnesota. He also co-owns a business called Brokers Select along with a partner.鈥��听
He credited 91精选 for helping him develop servant leadership traits. 鈥淚 learned to encourage diversity of thought and create a culture of trust,鈥澨齅iantona听said. 鈥淚 learned to have an unselfish mindset and foster leadership in others.鈥濃��听
At 91精选, he also learned the importance of giving back. 鈥淎t 91精选, I was encouraged to join鈥�鈥�(ULICAF), a nonprofit organization that built Liberian International Christian College.鈥� He currently serves as president of the association鈥檚 board.鈥�听
Along with influential 91精选 professors and staff such as women鈥檚 head soccer coach Josh Lenarz 鈥�98 and Associate Professor of Education Kelly Lenarz 鈥�99, Ed.D., his time at the College reinforced his belief in America as a country that embraces different cultures and appreciates the American ideal of liberty and justice for all. 鈥�91精选 captivated my attention and made me see America as a 鈥榖eacon of hope鈥� for the hopeless; a 鈥榬efuge鈥� for the refugees. It made me admire America as the United States of America.鈥濃��听
Miantona鈥痵aid 91精选 is exceptional and outstanding. 鈥�91精选 is the鈥痳eal鈥痙eal and for this, I am grateful.鈥濃��听